10-12 Page double spaced research paper on Crimea

Crimea: Russia or Ukraine? An International Law Perspective

Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 after a referendum was held which was not up to international standards. This move was largely condemned by the West and most of the international community does not recognize Crimea as a legitimate part of Russia, though it is now ruled by Russia and applicable to its laws, currency, and military. For example, residents of Crimea, even those who did not vote or voted against the annexation, are subject to the Russian conscription law which states that all healthy males aged 18 are required to complete mandatory military service unless unable to do so for a medical reason or if they are enrolled in a university (Conscription Service, p. 1). Up to today, Ukraine and Russia both claim that Crimea is theirs and there is no agreement reached at the time to settle this conflict.

Background on how crimea was taken (maidan revolution, etc.)

In order to begin to understand which country Crimea belongs to, it is important to understand the history of the peninsula. Crimea has been part of the Russian empire beginning in 1783 (Kramer, 1) after the defeat of the Ottomans up until 1954 when, during the Soviet Union, it was given to the Ukrainian SFSR by Premier Khrushchev.

Russia’s argument as to why Crimea is theirs

West’s argument as to why it belongs to Ukraine (their own motives and desire for influence)

International Law analysis

Works Cited

“Conscription Service.” Counterterrorism : Ministry of Defence of the Russian

Federation, eng.mil.ru/en/career/conscription/determent.htm.

Kramer, M. (2018, February 02). Why Did Russia Give Away Crimea Sixty Years Ago?

Retrieved December 07, 2018, from

https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/why-did-russia-give-away-crimea-sixty-y

ears-ago?gclid=CLHnyZC7ndACFSLicgod-UEIXw